Here is a more interesting approach. One of the rules of leadership is that it should break the rules. This is particularly true of popes, because of the importance of symbol in religion. Jesus was a leader, but he washed the feet of his disciples to show that he was their servant. This made him a better leader than if he had told them to wash his.

Francis understands this instinctively, and is very good at demonstrating it. It is a pastoral gift, and the word “pastoral” means being a shepherd – another image that Jesus used. The shepherd...